Penn State Biology

We welcome applicants working across levels of organization, from molecular to ecosystem science, using innovative approaches including omics, physiology, bioinformatics, cell & molecular biology, and more. Apply here: Penn State Plant Biology Faculty Position

🌱 We’re hiring in Plant Biology at Penn State! The Department of Biology at Penn State University Park is searching for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in any area of plant biology.

Are you doing climate-related research? 🌎 The Penn State Climate Solutions Symposium is now accepting submissions for climate-related posters for its 2026 event. Apply here before May 1: bit.ly/3QdK5RC #PennStateScience

Biology Seminar on Tuesday, April 28th. This is the final seminar in this semester's series; we hope to see you there! Seminar Details Speaker: Jeremy Lichstein, Professor, University of Florida Title: Forest Dynamics in a Changing World Time: 12:00–1:00 PM Location: 8 Müller Lab

🧬 Biology Student Seminar this week! Join us for two exciting talks: 🧠 Troy LaPolice & Nittany AI Group Transforming university scheduling with MatchMyLab 🧬 Natalia Grube Taenia evolution & what it reveals about carnivory in hominins 🗓️ 12:00–1:00 PM 📍 8 Müller Lab

🎉 Big congratulations to our 2025–26 Biology Graduate Student Award winners! Recognized for outstanding academic achievement and promise across our department 👏 Special shoutout to all recipients of the Popp, Mohnkern, Troxell, and Hill awards—you make #PSUBiology proud! 🧬🌿

From lived experience to cutting-edge research—exploring MDMA, mood, and genetics. Don’t miss it!

🚨 Biology Seminar this Tuesday! Join us for a powerful talk by Christopher Medina-Kirchner (Harvard Medical School): “Agony and Ecstasy: A Scientist’s Path from Incarceration to MDMA Research” 🗓️ April 14 ⏰ 12–1 PM 📍 8 Müller Lab

Today, NSF announced it has made offers & will award 2,500 Graduate Research Fellowships for the 2026-2027 academic year to outstanding graduate students across the U.S. pursuing research-based degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. bit.ly/4cpAHBO

Come join us today at our seminar!

📖 Read / listen: nytimes.com/2026/03/31/opi… #Biology #Neuroscience #Consciousness #Ecology #AI #Science

🔬 Big biological question: If consciousness isn’t uniquely human… how should that change how we think about animals, ecosystems — or even AI?

🧠 Are we really as “special” as we think? In a recent Ezra Klein interview, Michael Pollan explores a provocative idea: 👉 Human consciousness may not be as unique — or as protected — as we assume.

Learn more about all things neurobiology (including all of our amazing science and how trainees can get involved in #research) at #PennState at lnkd.in/gVBgpx9E and be sure to follow The Penn State Neuroscience Institute on LinkedIn!

Check out The Philadelphia Inquirer highlighting Penn State University’s new neurobiology majors!

📊 Takeaway from yesterday’s poll: Our department leans toward calling viruses alive… but not without debate. We’ll keep running these pre-seminar polls each week — follow along for results & more bio debates 👇 @PennStateBio @psubiodept.bsky.social

🤔 So… are they alive? It depends on how you define life. Viruses sit right at the boundary — which is why this debate never really ends.

🧬 Penn State Biology Pre-Seminar Poll Before our last seminar, we asked a classic question: Are viruses alive? Here’s what our department said 👇 86% — Yes 14% — No